My way of keeping in touch with my "out of state family" with pictures, scrapbook pages, lots of genealogy information and LIFE in general.

Friday, August 8, 2008

A Woman and a Fork

This little story was sent to my by my cousin, Sharon. I liked it alotand thought I would share it with you...my Family and my Friends.

A Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with aterminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she wasgetting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come toher house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him whichsongs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read,and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and thePastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly rememberedsomething very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she saidexcitedly. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply. 'This is veryimportant,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork inmy right hand.' The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowingquite what to say. That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor. The youngwoman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that timeon I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and thosewho are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials anddinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course werebeing cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.'It was my favorite part because I knew that something better wascoming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Somethingwonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there inthat casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's withthe fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork, the best is yet tocome.' The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the youngwoman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would seeher before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a bettergrasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would belike than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience andknowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral peoplewere walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she waswearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastorheard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled. Duringhis message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with theyoung woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork andabout what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stopthinking about the fork and told them that they probably wouldnot be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next timeyou reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that thebest is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed They make yousmile and encourage you to succeed . They lend an ear, they share a word ofpraise , and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friendshow much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you needthem more. For you never know when it may be their time to 'Keep your fork.'

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About Me

I love genealogy, painting and scrapbooking. I taught painting classes and did craft shows for more years than I can count. I have scraped for over 12 years. I started digital scrapping about five years ago and love it. We have a half-dozen grandkids and I am always snagging their pictures off their "FaceBook" to scrap. My daughter "Suzie" takes beautiful photo's that I try my best to snag for scrapping. I also love all things Americana, Shabby Chic, Vintage and Gently Worn. We both love to visit Thrift Stores and Flea Markets almost every week-end. The one thing I Hate to do is cook. But hubby spoils me by being a great cook and doing it all, even the grocery shopping. The kitchen is his and that is find with me. One of my favorite quotes is: "You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suite me. by ~ C.S. Lewis~